In 2014 we added an exciting new section to the Swap! We called for any exciting starter you might have to share. Participants brought sourdough starter, kombucha scoby, cheese and yogurt cultures and compost starter.

For gardeners and orchardists, it's the most wonderful flea market in the world. Not only that – most of the best stuff is free!

MOFGA, the Maine Tree Crop Alliance, and Fedco will once again host the Seed Swap and Scionwood Exchange at MOFGA’s Common Ground Exhibition Hall in Unity.

Please bring any seeds, scionwood or cuttings you have to share freely with others. In recent years we have given away scionwood from well over 200 fruit varieties. These contributions make the day a success. If you don't have seeds or scionwood to share, don't fret and join us anyways - maybe bring some baked goods or fertile hatching eggs instead!

The Graft Union: An Exploration of Technique and Relevance with Anne Hallee

Planning for Pollinators in Your Orchard with Carol Armatis and Michele Cabral

12:00 noon

Propagating Woody Plants Without Grafting with Aaron Parker

Still Playing with Beans with Sam Birch

1:00 p.m.

Cider and Cider Orchards in England, France, Germany, and Spain with John Bunker, Todd Little-Siebold, David Buchanan, and Noah Fralich

Grassroots Seed Network with Will Bonsall and other GSN members

2:00 p.m.

Home-Grown Hazelnuts with Will Bonsall

Seed Saving Open Forum with Roberta Bailey and Heron Breen

Seed Swap and Scion Exchange Workshop Descriptions:

The Graft Union: An Exploration of Technique and Relevance with Anne HalleeLibrary, upstairs, at 11 a.m.
Learn to graft with Anne Hallee of Rising Up Farm in Belfast. Anne will cover why to graft as well as a variety of techniques. Grab some rootstock and scionwood from the Scionwood Exchange, stop by for Anne’s class, and you will be well on your way to starting your own orchard!

Planning for Pollinators in Your Orchard with Carol Armatis and Michele CabralDownstairs office at 11 a.m.
Who are the pollinators and what you need to know and when.

Propagating Woody Plants Without Grafting with Aaron ParkerLibrary, upstairs, at 12 noon
There are many woody plants that can be propagated without grafting. In this class we will cover growing from cuttings, layering and several other methods of cloning woody plants. If time allows we may also discuss growing woody fruit plants from seed.

Still Playing with Beans with Sam BirchDownstairs office at 12:00 noon
Sam Birch, Maine's reigning Godfather of Beans, will speak on his life of "playing with beans". For years, Common Ground Fair goers have oohed and aahed over the diversity of beans Sam has displayed at the Exhibition Hall. He'll spend an hour with us talking about how he has added to and maintained his collection of beans through the years, and his efforts for future preservation. Seed Saving, Growing, and Display discussed with Q&A.

Cider and Cider Orchards in England, France, Germany, and Spain with John Bunker, Todd Little-Siebold, David Buchanan, and Noah FralichLibrary, upstairs at 1 p.m.
This will be a panel discussion of cider styles and the cultures of cider in the English West Country, eastern France, Germany, and Northern Spain with reflections from three recent trips. The panel will discuss cider apple varieties, production techniques, apple genetics, and cider styles. The intent is to give a sense of what is happening in these three traditional cider-making regions. It will also include discussion of lessons for American cider makers.

Grassroots Seed Network with Will Bonsall and other GSN membersDownstairs office at 1 p.m.
A newly-formed democratically-run international seed saving organization starts in Maine and spreads quickly.

Home-Grown Hazelnuts with Will BonsallLibrary, upstairs, at 2 p.m.
American hazels have always been easy to grow, but tedious to crack, Will demonstrates the DaveBilt cracking machine.

Seed Saving Open Forum moderated by Roberta Bailey and Heron BreenDownstairs office at 2 p.m.
Rather than talk strictly upon one species or type, this forum will be an open, guided Q&A with the focus determined by what the participants what to know. There are no stupid questions! Please come share your experiences, both successes and failures, with your fellow Mainers. We can all learn from each other, whether beginner or advanced. One hour of participant Q&A and guided discussion.

Not sure how to store your scion wood?

In order to store scionwood for later grafting, the wood must remain dormant and protected from drying out. An effective way to achieve this is to store the scions triple-bagged in zip-loc bags, and keep in the back of the refrigerator. You can add a small piece of damp, not wet, paper towel in with the scions to help retain moisture. The back of the refrigerator is best because temperatures are more stable than near or on the door. Do not store in the freezer. Further questions? Contact CJ Walke, MOFGA's Organic Orchardist by phone 207-568-4142.